Clamp binding

ABSTRACT

A binding element for one or more sheets, the binding comprising a flexible clamp member having longitudinally extending slots therein into which the binding edge of a sheet or sheets may be inserted while the clamping member is positioned in a flexed, generally convex condition in which the slots are spread open. Recurving the flexible clamp member into a condition in which the member is concave, and wherein the slots are compressed closed, retains the sheets in the binding. Means are provided for retaining the clamping member in its concave condition, on a temporary or permanent basis as desired.

United States Patent i191 Staats Sept. 30, 1975 [54] CLAMP BINDING 14.330 1885 United Kingdom .i 24/67.l l

[75] Inventor: Henry N. Staats, Deerfield, Ill.

73 Assignee; General Binding Corporation, Plillltll') Examiner-Jerome Schnall Northbrook m Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Hill, Gross, Simpson, Van

Santen, Steadman, Chiai'a & Simpson [22] Filed: June 11, 1974 [2i] Appl. No.: 478,299

[57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl 402/19; 402/37; 402/80 R;

281/17; 281/45; 24/673 A binding element for one or more sheets, the binding [51] Int. Cl. B42F 3/00; B42F i/00 comprising flexible clamp member having longitudi- [58] Field of Search 402/37, 39, 19, 80 R; "ally extending Slots therein into which the binding 20 /523; 40 281/17 22 45; 24 7 R edge Of a sheet or sheets may be inserted while the 673, 675 73 PC, 31 CC, 6711, 257 clamping member is positioned in a flexed, generally 52/399, 400 convex condition in which the slots are spread open. Recurving the flexible clamp member into a condition [56] References Cited in which the member is concave, and wherein the slots UNITED STATES PATENTS are compressed closed, retains the sheets in the binding. Means are provided for retaining the clamping 1,531502 5/1925 Sellew 403/3273); member in its Concave condition, on a temporary or 1,673.85] 6/1928 Valkenburgh O permanent basis as desired.

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 645.857 7/1964 Belgium 52/400 6 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures US. Patent Spt. 30,1975

CLAMP BINDING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION One form of looseleaf binding system utilized in the prior art has concerned itself with the attachment of very thick, rigid, pages to a backbone element. One manner of securing such pages has, of course, been the utilization of a metal multi-ring binding of the snapopen, type. Such bindings are, however, relatively expensive, and, further, are very bulky when a relatively small number of pages are to be bound. An alternative mode of binding has utilized a thin, flexible, web secured to the binding edge of each rigid sheet and in turn secured to a rigid backbone. In such prior systems, the individual thin webs are typically sandwiched between spacer elements to provide a backbone of approximately the same thickness as the thickness of the rigid pages being bound. This combination provides a book that lies substantially flat in the closed condition. Such systems embodying the filler or spacerconcept also typically require a securing mechanism for holding the webs and spacers in place and, typically, that spacer system requires fasteners of substantial expense, often necessitating special tools for the insertion and removal of pages.

It has been my experience, accordingly, that prior techniques adapted to binding rigid sheets, with or without the utilization of thin securing webs, has required relatively complicated and expensive binding apparatus which, in spite of its expense has not proven simple to use or efficient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention individual rigid sheets may be bound conveniently through the utilization of thin binding webs of the type employed in the prior art. However, securement of the thin webs to the backbone is achieved by way of a clamp backbone member that is selectively positioned initially in a convex condition in which web-receiving slots are disposed in an open condition to receive binding webs. The clamp member is then snapped into a concave condition in which the slots are forced into a closed condition tightly gripping the thin binding webs. The clamp member may be retained in its concave position by a number of means either permanent or readily releasable so that the binding webs may be removed and replaced with ease or permanently retained in assembled relation to the clamp member.

A preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes a clamp member constructed of not only flexible material permitting movement of the clamp from the convex to the concave condition, but also resilient to provide a rubber-like grip upon the binding webs. Preferably, a rigid back is provided having a concave surface against which the clamp member may be positioned and caused, thereby, to assume a similar concave configuration. Cement, or mechanical means, may be provided between the clamp and the rigid back to maintain the clamp in the concave condition. A particularly effective form of the device comprises a concave back having parallel sides projecting therefrom in a manner to confine a clamp member resilient in either of a concave or convex position whereby binding webs may be inserted in the slots in the convex condition and the clamp snapped over center into the concave condition to thereby provide a truly looseleaf binding system in which the spaces between the slots provide the spacers employed in the prior art, but without special fastening means, tools, or the like, heretofore required.

It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to provide a novel and substantially improved binding system employing a flexible clamp adapted to bind a plurality of webs in a predetermined spaced relation and in a manner permitting their ready release.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an isometric illustration of a thick page having a thin binding web secured thereto;

FIG. 2 is a partial end elevation of a conventional prior art binding adapted for assembling a plurality of thick pages of the type illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of a clamp constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the clamp shown in FIG. 3 in cooperative relation with a back member;

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view of the parts shown in FIG. 4 with the clamp in its binding, concave, condition, and with the back secured in a cover; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial isometric view ofa modified form of the invention illustrating a mechanical supplement for improved page retention.

As can be seen from a consideration of FIGS. 1 and 2, the page element to be bound comprises a thick, generally rigid, member 10 which may approximate inch thickness. A typical such page may have photographreceiving pockets or the like. Attached to the left-hand edge of the member 10 is a thin web 11, preferably of a flexible material such as thin paper or metal, and which is cemented or otherwise permanently secured to the member 10 at 12. In prior systems designed to bind such members 10, the webs 1 l were provided with a plurality of openings 13 and were typically bound between covers 14 and 15 by way of metallic screw fasteners l6. Spacers 17 were provided in order to allow the backbone of the bound sheets to have substantially the same thickness as the relatively thick sheets themselves. As above noted, this prior art system and others of the same general philosophy, required spacers, mechanical binding elements and other fastening means of some complexity, inconvenience, and expense.

In accordance with the present invention, as may clearly be seen from FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, a flexible clamp 20 is provided. The clamp 20 has a plurality of slots 21 extending longitudinally theralong and separated by a relatively thin flexible web 22. In the preferred embodiment, the clamp 20 is manufactured of rubber, or the like, and is molded in an initial convex form as shown in FIG. 3 with the individual slots 21 being somewhat more open at their fio nt face 21a as compared to their root portions 211). The clamp is positioned, for example, in a back member 25 having an inner concave surface 26 against which the clamp 20 may be seated. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 4, the back 25 is provided with laterally projecting sides 27, 28 spaced from each other a distance smaller than the width of the clamp member 20 in its flat, uncurved, condition. With this relationship, an initial insertion of the clamp 20 into the back 25, as shown in FIG. 4, is readily accomplished without tools. When a force is applied to the center of the member 20 as shown at the arrow 29, the clamp 20 snaps into the position shown in FIG. 5 in which the upper portions 21a of the grooves 21 approach each other and firmly grip the thin flexible elements 11. As can be seen, the portions 23 between the slots 21 act as spacers between the thin webs 11 to serve the function provided by the spacers 17 in systems such as known in the prior art.

It will be evident that the dimensions of the member 20 relative to the space between the upstanding walls 27,28, and the width of the grooves 21 is important to operation of the clamp. It is essential that the clamp be flexible, at least in the back, or root, portion 22 to permit the over-center movement fromconvex to concave conditions, as illustrated. At the same time, it is preferred that the clamp 20 be molded, or extruded, as a single piece of resilient natural or synthetic rubber having a Durometer hardness generally in the range of 40 to'70. This resilience not only permits the flexing above described, but also permits the portions 23 to bulge somewhat between the webs 11, permitting some latitude in the selection of the web thickness. Further, the resiliency and resultant distortion of the material 23 between the webs provides a resilient grip on the webs very substantially increasing the frictional resistance to separation of the webs from the clamp in the assembled relation shown in FIG. 5.

Retention of the clamp 20 in the concave position as shown in FIG. is assured by the projection of the portions' 27a, 28a of the walls 27, 28, respectively toward each other. Supplemental retention may, if desired, be provided by the addition of edge ribs such as shown at 2017 in FIG. 3, and cooperative grooves at the inner base of the walls 27,28. Alternatively, of course, the projections 27a, 280 may be exaggerated more than illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 to cooperate with longitudinally extending grooves in the edges of the clamp 20. These supplemental provisions may be emlpoyed to retain the clamp and back member 25 in assembled relation even though the clamp is in the convex condition as shown in FIG. 4, thereby permitting the parts 20 and to be shipped and operated as a single unit, preferably cemented or otherwise permanently secured to the cover 114.

The snap action relationship above described will provide a loose-leaf binder which can be released by slipping a knife blade or similar tool between the clamp 20 and the curved surface 26 and prying the clamp upwardly. On the other hand, a permanent binding may readily be achieved by providing a pressure sensitive cement on the surface 26, to retain the clamp in concave condition.

Where heavy duty operation is contemplated, a mechanical interlock may be provided between the clamp 20 and the webs 11. As shown in FIG. 6, projections 23a may be molded integrally with the members 23. Such molding is readily accomplished when the member 20 is molded in an exaggerated convex condition such as shown in FIG. 6, rather than by extrusion. The projections 23a cooperate with apertures 13a in the webs 11 and positively lock the webs in place when the member 20 is snapped over-center into the concave condition. If desired, mating pockets 2317 may also be molded into the elements 23 for cooperation with the projections 23a It will be apparent that variations may be made in the structure described without departing from the scope of my invention. It is, accordingly, my intent that the scope of my invention be limited solely by the hereinaf-' ter appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A binding for a plurality of thin leaves, comprising a substantially rigid back member having a curved concave surface extending longitudinally therealong between spaced projecting side members, a longitudinally extending insert clamp element flexible from a first condition wherein it is bowed outwardly away from the back member providing a concave first surface facing said back member, and a second convex surface facing away from said back member, exposing a plurality of parallel longitudinally extending cavities having leafengaging sides, to a reversely bowed second condition confined between said spaced side members wherein said first surface of the insert element substantially con forms to the concave form of said back member and said cavities are substantially closed with the leafengaging sides thereof in retaining contact with said leaves.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said clamp element is constructed of resilient material whereby the walls of each said cavity yieldably cooperate with said leaf in said cavity to clamp said leaf therein.

3. The structure of claim 1 including means securing said clamp element to said concave back member.

4. The structure of claim 2 including means securing said clamp element to said concave back member.

5. The structure set forth in claim 2 wherein each cavity of said clamp element has at least one integral projection extending transversely from one wall thereof for cooperation with an aperture in said leaf to mechanically lock said leaf in said slot when the clamp element is curved against said back member.

6. The structure set forth in claim 5 wherein the projection extends into a recess on the other wall of the re- 

1. A binding for a plurality of thin leaves, comprising a substantially rigid back member having a curved concave surface extending longitudinally therealong between spaced projecting side members, a longitudinally extending insert clamp element flexible from a first condition wherein it is bowed outwardly away from the back member providing a concave first surface facing said back member, and a second convex surface facing away from said back Member, exposing a plurality of parallel longitudinally extending cavities having leaf-engaging sides, to a reversely bowed second condition confined between said spaced side members wherein said first surface of the insert element substantially conforms to the concave form of said back member and said cavities are substantially closed with the leaf-engaging sides thereof in retaining contact with said leaves.
 2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said clamp element is constructed of resilient material whereby the walls of each said cavity yieldably cooperate with said leaf in said cavity to clamp said leaf therein.
 3. The structure of claim 1 including means securing said clamp element to said concave back member.
 4. The structure of claim 2 including means securing said clamp element to said concave back member.
 5. The structure set forth in claim 2 wherein each cavity of said clamp element has at least one integral projection extending transversely from one wall thereof for cooperation with an aperture in said leaf to mechanically lock said leaf in said slot when the clamp element is curved against said back member.
 6. The structure set forth in claim 5 wherein the projection extends into a recess on the other wall of the respective slot. 